How many points are mount and back control in jiu-jitsu?
B · Beginner · Points · 5 of 6Full mount, back mount and back control are the highest-scoring positions, worth four points each. In mount the athlete sits astride the opponent's torso. In back control the athlete is behind the opponent with both legs hooked in front of the hips, not crossed. No more than one of the opponent's arms may be trapped.
How it works
- Full mount, 4 points: straddling the torso of an opponent on the back or side, neither knee higher than the opponent's shoulders, with at most one of the opponent's arms trapped.
- Kinds of mount: both knees down, or one knee and one foot down.
- Back mount, 4 points: the same, with the opponent face-down.
- Back control, 4 points: from behind, both legs as hooks with the heels in front of the hip bones or between the legs, hooks below the shoulder line, at most one arm trapped.
- Crossed feet or a body triangle: not back control, but an advantage if the position is not completed.
- Both arms trapped, or one hook: an advantage if the position is not completed.
- Each time: the four points are given every time one of these positions is reached, including switching between mount and back mount.
- No reset trick: stepping back and returning to the same position, or removing and replacing hooks, earns nothing more.
- No passivity: an athlete holding these positions as defined is not called for passivity.
The glossary has the full mount and back mount, the back control, the top position, the advantage, the three-second stabilization and the passivity (ne-waza).
Tricky cases
An athlete has back control but has crossed their feet. Is that four points?
No. The legs must not be crossed in any way. The athlete gets an advantage if the position is not completed.
An athlete switches from full mount to back mount as the opponent turns over. More points?
Yes. Four points are awarded every time any of these positions is achieved, including switching between full mount and back mount.
An athlete takes out one hook and puts it back. Is that another four points?
No. The athlete must completely lose access to the opponent's back before scoring back control again.
An athlete sits on the opponent's chest with both of the opponent's arms trapped. Is that mount?
Not as defined. At most one arm may be trapped. If the athlete cannot complete the position, an advantage is given.
Why the rule exists
These are the positions from which a fight is most easily finished and least easily escaped, so they carry the most points. The details, at most one arm trapped and hooks not crossed, describe the version of each position that is truly controlling and leave nothing to argue over.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full mount | 4 points | JJIF Ne-Waza 9.5 |
| Back mount | 4 points | JJIF Ne-Waza 9.5 |
| Back control | 4 points | JJIF Ne-Waza 9.6 |
| Crossed feet, body triangle, one hook | Advantage if not completed | JJIF Ne-Waza 9.6.1 |
| Passivity | Not called on these positions | JJIF Ne-Waza 11.1.1 |
From the rule book
Ju-Jitsu International Federation and Ju-Jitsu Asian Union, Jiu-Jitsu (Ne-Waza) Rulebook (version 2.7, reviewed 2024), Sections 9.5, 9.6 and 11.1.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Jiu-Jitsu (Ne-Waza) Rulebook.